Working with Rahman in ‘Muhammad’ a learning experience: Natalie

Hong Kong: Canadian multi-lingual singer Natalie Di Luccio who sung an Arabic track in the film “Muhammad: The Messenger Of God”, said that working with Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman was a learning experience.

“I sang for his new film called ‘Muhammad’. The film has gone to film festival and hasn’t released in India yet. It’s a big budget Iranian film and I had Arabic songs, so he helped me a lot.”

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience moment for me. When I met him for the first time, I was shaking,” Natalie, who earlier worked with Rahman in S. Shankar’s film “I”, told IANS.

“He helped me in pronunciation too,” added Natalie, whose career got a kick-start when she began releasing music videos on YouTube. These were videos of Natalia singing Bollywood film songs.

She credits the online platform for lending visibility to her vocal talent.

“Nowadays you can control your career. Social media has helped in boosting the life of many singers. I feel really honoured that I made my own career, but it wasn’t planned.

“When I first put my video on Youtube, there was not even one Bollywood cover, but now for every song there are a million renditions.

“Fortunately, YouTube gave me the platform to sell my albums like the way I wanted to,” said Natalie, who also lent her voice to songs in films like “Band Baaja Baraat”, “Ladies vs Ricky Bahl”, “English Vinglish” and “Chennai Express”.

Asked how she manages to sing in different languages without even knowing those languages, she said: “I always had to work extra hard for pronunciation, but I want to serve more people with my music and that’s what I am doing.”

Natalie was in Hong Kong – Asia’s World City for the shooting of FOX Life’s show “Life Mein Ek Baar”, an adventure and travel-based show.

Back after three successful seasons, the show will feature three other celebrities apart from Natalie, on an adventure trip across Hong Kong. There are also popular names like Karan Kundra, Sana Saeed and Himarsha Venkatsamy.

From playing a game of rugby with the locals, to taking a Tai Chi class, to Dragon Boat racing and more, the show will bring forth an exhilarating journey of the celebrities’ stay in the country.

Mumbai, Jan 23, 2017: Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi on Monday announced that his maiden Indian movie is titled “Beyond The Clouds”. He has roped in actor Ishaan Khatter and Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman for the project.

Ishaan, the brother of popular actor Shahid Kapoor, has been chosen as he is a “wonderful boy” who is “extremely talented”, Majidi said here, adding that he foresees a “bright future” for the young actor.

“Beyond The Clouds”, which is going on the floors on Monday, is being produced by Zee Studios and Eyecandy Films. The film dwells on nuanced human relationships, an area Majidi specialises in.

Talking about the film, Majidi said: “Filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, whose work I adore, have represented India’s culture, rich heritage and the lives of common people to a global audience.

“These visions and images have stayed in my mind for years and cajoled me to make a film in India. Finally , I’m in Mumbai with a lovely team to narrate a story woven around the lives of common people.”

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The leading lady of the film is yet to be finalised, even as there were rumours that Deepika Padukone was being considered for a pivotal role in the movie.

Rahman will be working on the score of the project, and this film will mark the Mozart of Madras’ second association with the director after “Muhammad: The Messenger of God”.

Majidi has been doing a location recce for the film in India since the past few months. It will be shot at numerous locations in India.

The details of the project were announced at a small gathering here, in the presence of Majidi, Ishaan, Rahman, Akash Chawla, Business Head – Zee Studios, along with Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishore Arora from EyeCandy Films. Also present were Ishaan’s parents Neelima Azim and Rajesh Khatter along with brother Shahid.

Chawla said: “It’s our pleasure to associate with a global icon like Majid Majidi. Over the years, he has narrated stories with authenticity and honesty, the vision with which Zee serves content to its audience globally.

“This film, his first venture in the country, celebrates an India unseen by the world with a heartwarming story.”

Bollywood film maker Karan Johar, seen in this June 2016 photo, released a video message asking Hindu nationalist protesters to not disrupt the Oct. 28 release of his big-budget romantic drama 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,' or 'Difficulties of the Heart,' which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a small role. (Representational image) VOA

Mumbai, December 15, 2016: To pay tribute to Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman, Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor-starrer “Ok Jaanu” wii be recreating the 1998 track “Humma Humma” by the music-maestro’s in the film.

Vishakhapatanam to host the first Wind Music festival this December(representative image). Pixabay

Vishakhapatnam December 13, 2016: Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said that Visakhapatnam city will host the world’s first ever Wind Music festival on December 17 to entertain enthusiasts.

Naveen Kumar, a flutist and is better known for his contribution to classical music along with Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman will jointly present this one day festival, as was highlighted yesterday by the minister in a press conference.

He also said, “It will bring together music stalwarts who play diverse wind instruments ranging from a valley of western and Indian flutes to saxophones and many more,” .

Kumar also added the emotional appeal of music saying, “…On an emotional level, few can deny the intrinsic power of music. Its ability to influence and enhance moods is, in fact, one of music’s greatest attractions. It could be considered a shortcut to the subconscious levels of our minds.”